Wipes Canister

ABSTRACT

A dispenser for storing a roll of wet wipes including a rounded bottom surface and a lid perpendicular to the bottom surface of the dispenser so that the wipes are dispensed through the front of the dispenser as the dispenser sits on a supporting surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present embodiments relate to a container for dispensing wet wipes, and more particularly to a container for dispensing a roll of wet wipes through the front of the container.

2. Description of Related Art

Wet wipes are well known commercial products that are available in many forms, like stacks of moistened sheets packaged in plastic containers. Typically, wet wipes are stacked in a interfolded configuration inside of a container. Alternatively, wet wipes might be a continuous web of material wound into a roll. The roll typically has perforations to separate individual wipes. These rolls are typically pulled and dispensed from the inside of the roll. Dispensing wipes from the inside of the roll presents many problems in terms of efficient and easy dispensing.

The plastic containers used to store wipes have typically been designed with a flat bottom surface so that they can be positioned on flat surfaces. Such conventional packages generally provide an upright cylindrical or rectangular container or rectangular tub and are dispensed through the top surface of the container. Most packages are designed to dispense one wipe at a time. Those containers, however, are difficult to dispense using only one hand because the covers are not easily opened, a user must apply a lot of force to remove a single wipe, and containers are prone to tipping over due to the force applied to remove a wipe or the cover being too heavy. Accordingly, for these reasons and many others, there is a need for a more user-friendly container.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

To answer this need, the present invention provides in one embodiment a dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising a container base including a bottom face configured to support the dispenser on a surface and with one or more rounded edges and a pair of opposed parallel sidewalls extending upward from the bottom surface; a lid removably attached to the container base, wherein the lid includes a substantially flat top surface; the lid having an aperture with an aperture face and having a hingedly attached cover providing a sealing means over the aperture; wherein the lid top surface and the aperture face are substantially perpendicular to the container base bottom face; wherein the cover hingedly opens to a position where the cover is in substantially the same plane as the container base bottom face; the aperture including a retention tab defining a first aperture portion communicating via a channel with a second aperture portion lying below the first aperture portion; wherein the second aperture portion is smaller than the first aperture portion; and a roll of wet wipes positioned to dispense wipes from the outside of the roll as the roll unwinds.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the invention provides a dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising a container base defining an open receptacle, the base comprising a rounded bottom surface with a bottom face and a pair of opposed parallel sidewalls extending upward from the bottom face; a lid removably attached to the container base; and a roll of wet wipes positioned in the receptacle to dispense wipes through a face of the container from the outside of the roll as the roll unwinds, wherein the face is configured to be supported substantially perpendicular to the bottom face.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the invention provides a dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising a container base defining an open receptacle, the base comprising a rounded bottom surface having a bottom face; and a pair of substantially parallel opposed sidewalls; a lid with a substantially flat face removably attached to the container base, wherein horizontal length of the lid is longer than vertical height of the lid; a roll of wet wipes contained in the open receptacle to dispense wipes from the outside to the inside of the roll; and wherein the bottom face supports the lid upright with the vertical length of the lid generally perpendicular to the bottom face.

As used herein, the term “wet wipe” refers to a fibrous sheet that has a liquid applied to the entire roll of wipes thereto during manufacture or prior to dispensing. The amount of liquid or solution contained within each wet wipe can vary depending upon the type of material being used to provide the wet wipe, the type of liquid being used, the type of container being used to store the roll of wet wipes, and the desired end use of the wet wipe. Generally, each wet wipe can contain from about 25 to about 600 weight percent or from about 200 to about 400 weight percent liquid based on the dry weight of the wipe, for improved wiping in certain situations. The liquid can include a fragrance, cleaning agents, sanitizing agents, and/or an emollient and can serve to aid the fibrous sheet in retention of materials, which are to be wiped up during its utilization. Rolls of wet wipes useful with the invention can contain from as little as a few linear inches (or cm) to more than 450 linear inches (11.43 m), to more than linear 600 inches (15.24 m) to more than a thousand linear inches (25.40 m) of wet wipes. The rolls can have a web of material that can have any number of sheets. Usually, the sheets are separated by perforations that enable the sheet to be easily torn from the web but are strong enough that they will not separate while the web is being pulled from the dispenser.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the invention. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain various aspects of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments, and the objects and advantages thereof, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description in connection with the following representative and nonlimiting drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a closed container for dispensing wipes according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an open container for dispensing wipes according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an open container with wipes being dispensed, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an open and empty container having supporting post, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Representative embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-4, in which the same reference numerals refer to like elements.

As representatively illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, a container 100 for dispensing wet wipes from a roll in an easy-to-use and reliable manner is disclosed. The wipes also may be woven or nonwoven. And, although the containers may generally be made of plastic material, e.g. polyethylene or polypropylene, it will be understood that the container may be made of any suitable material. Suitable materials may include rigid materials or flexible materials or both. The containers shown in the figures and described the embodiments are not limited to any particular size or shape, and the shape and size of the containers may changed as necessary or desired, including, but not limited to generally cubic or rectangular, or any other shape that allows for the containers to store a roll of wipes.

Referring to FIG. 1, the container 100 may comprise a base 110 and a lid 130. The base 110 and the lid 130 may be formed as a single piece or attached as separate pieces. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the container 100 includes the base 110 that may have a base surface 112 that is connected to a pair of opposed parallel sidewalls 114 along rounded edges. The base surface 112 may generally be a rounded surface. Generally, the base surface 112 may have a bottom face 116 and a top face 118. The base surface 112, although being generally rounded, allows for the container 100 to rest on a flat surface on the bottom face 116, as it is shown in FIG. 1. In other words the bottom face 116 may provide support for the container 100. The base surface 112 may be rounded to best accommodate a roll of wipes.

In one embodiment, the base surface 112 may have one or more base supporting members or legs (not shown) to stabilize the container 100 on a surface. The supporting members may be integral with the base 110 and may be connected on either the bottom face 116 or top face 118 or both. Further, the one or more base supporting members may be designed such that they might pivot from a stored position to a deployed position.

The pair of opposed sidewalls 114 may also be semi-circular, when viewed from the side, and extend upwardly from the bottom face 116 in a generally perpendicular manner. The base surface 112 and sidewalls 114 generally define an open receptacle (not shown) for storing a roll of wipes.

The container 100 also includes the lid 130 that is connected, generally along its perimeter, to the base 110. The lid 130 fits onto the open receptacle formed by the base surface 112 and pair of opposed side walls 114 of the container base 110. In other words, the lid 130 may form a removable top flat face to cover the open receptacle formed by the base surface 112 and sidewalls 114. The lid 130 may have a substantially flat face and generally be rectangular, for example having a longer horizontal length that a vertical height. In another embodiment, the lid 130 may also be rounded, similar in shape to the base. It will be appreciated that the lid 130 is not limited to any particular size or shape, and the shape and size of the lid 130 may changed as necessary or desired.

The lid 130 may generally comprise three parts, a body 132, a cover 134, and a locking mechanism 136. The body 132 may have a top flat face 138, and a side edge 140. The cover 134 when closed, as shown in FIG. 1, may lie in the same plane as the top surface 138. In other words, the top of the cover 134 may be flush or coplanar with the top face 138 when the cover 134 is closed. The side edge 140 may extend generally downwardly and perpendicularly from the top face 138 and fully surround the top face 138. If the container 100 is made of two separate pieces, the lid 130 may be attached to the base using a variety of ways, well-known to those of skill in the art.

As previously described, the base 110 may comprise the base surface 112 having the bottom and top faces 116 and 118, and a pair of opposed sidewalls 114, all of which define an open receptacle onto which the lid 130 may be attached. To attach or fit the lid 130 to the base 110, a flange (not shown) may extend along an outer peripheral edge of the open receptacle as a means by which the lid 130 may be fitted onto the base 110. The lid 130 would thus be removable, if and when the container 100 needed to be refilled. In another embodiment, the lid 130 may be pivotally connected to the base 110, as is also well known in the art; the lid 130 may have various pivot points connecting it to the base 110, whereby the pivot points may be living hinges. The lid 130 may be pivotally connected to either the bottom face 116 or top face 118 of the base surface 112. Further, the lid 130 may be manufactured with one or more ridges that can be snap-fitted into receiving grooves in the base 110. Or, the lid 130 may be designed so that it can be friction-fitted to the base 110. There are many alternative means for attaching the lid 130 to the base 110. It will be appreciated that the lid 130 may be attached to the base 110 using any means. In another embodiment, if the container 100 were made of only one piece, the lid 130 may be attached to the base using glues, adhesives, or other bonding agents; heat sealing; ultrasonic bonding; or other chemical methods.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, opposed sidewalls 114 of the base 110 may each have at least one recess 142 formed therein in order to facilitate removing the lid 130 from the base 110. The recesses 142 may be formed or molded on the outer face of each opposed sidewall 114 and may be at or near edge of the opposed sidewall 114. In other words, the recess 142, in each opposed sidewall 114, may be located just below from where the lid 130 may be attached to the base 110. The recesses 142 may include one or more separate finger recesses. In one embodiment, the recess 142 includes a single finger contour that may be substantially semi-circular in shape. The recess 142 may have a width to accommodate at least one average adult finger. In one embodiment, there may be only one recess 142 on one sidewall 142. The vertical location of the recesses 142 relative to where the lid 130 is attached to the base 110 may be changed to best allow for the lid's 130 removal. Moreover, the recesses 142 may be used as a carrying grip to pickup and transport the container 100.

In one embodiment, the cover 134 may be connected to the body 132 of the lid 130. The cover 134 may be connected or attached to the body 132 opposite from the locking mechanism 136. The cover 134 may be centered relative to the overall length of the container 100. The cover 134 may be connected to the body 132 in a manner that allows the cover 134 to pivot between an opened and closed position. For example, the cover 134 may be permanently attached to the body 132 by a hinge, e.g. a living hinge. Any suitable hinge or connecting means that enables the cover 134 to pivot between an opened and closed position may be used to attach the cover 134 to the body 132. The cover 134 may even snap off entirely. As described above, chemical methods may also be used to attach the cover 134 to the body 132. The cover 134 may be shaped consistently with the top surface 138, thereby the cover 134, when closed, may form a flat and continuous surface with the top surface 138, as best shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the cover 134 hingedly opens to a position where the cover 134 is in substantially the same plane as the face 116 of the container base bottom surface 112. This allows additional support when the container is sitting on a surface and a wipe is being dispensed.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 134 may also be configured so that it may be releasably held in a closed position by a locking mechanism 136. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the cover 134 may be pivotally connected to the body 132 of the lid 130. The cover provides a sealing means over the aperture. The cover 100 itself may have a bottom surface 200 and a side edge 202. The side edge 202 may be of any thickness. A portion of the cover 134 at the free end—at the opposite end from where the cover 134 may be pivotally connected to the body 132—may be curved and semi-circular so that the cover 134 may engage the locking mechanism 136. That curved portion may have a tab 204 that projects outwardly from the cover 134. The tab 204 may have a curved edge and may be generally semicircular in configuration. The tab 204 may be designed so that it is engageable with the locking mechanism 136. The locking mechanism 136 may be depressible, whereby the lid 130 unlocks into the open position by means of a biasing member (not shown), as is well known in the art. Any other suitable locking mechanism may be used to open and close the cover 134.

In one embodiment, the cover 134 may be connected or attached to the container base surface 112. The cover 124 may be pivotally mounted to the base but be adapted to extend over onto the lid 130.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, The container 100 may be designed to provide an easier way to open the container 100. For example, in one method of opening, four fingers can be used to grasp the bottom surface 112, as the container 100 lies on its first face 116, and then the thumb can depress the locking mechanism 136 to open the cover 134. The cover 134, when fully opened, may also provide additional support for the container 100. In this embodiment, the container 100 can never be tipped over because of its curved bottom surface 112 that rests on a surface, such as a table.

Referring to FIG. 2, the body 132 may have an indentation 206 formed in the lid top surface 138. The indentation 206 may be adapted to receive the cover 134. For example, the cover 134 may frictionally engage the lid top surface 138 by fitting into the indentation 206. The indentation 206 may be any suitable size and shape; though, in one non-limiting embodiment it is generally consistent in size and shape to that of the cover 134. Although, the indention 206 is shown as being formed in the lid top surface 138, it, along with the indentation 206, may also overlap the lid top surface 138 and be partly or fully in the base surface 112. Further, the indentation 206 may be of such depth that it may defines a recessed well (not shown), of any suitable shape, to allow the tail of a wipe to reside in the well when the cover 134 is closed.

Located inside of the indentation 206 may be an aperture 208. The aperture face and the lid flat top surface 138 may be substantially perpendicular to the container base bottom surface 116. The aperture 208 may provide a user with access, through the body 132 of the lid 130, to the wipes stored inside of the container 100. The aperture 208 may comprise a first portion 210 and a second smaller portion 212. The first portion 210 may be in communication with the second portion 212 via a channel 214 defined by retention tab 216 and the second portion 212 may lie below the first portion 210 towards the container base bottom surface 116. The aperture first portion 210 may be adapted to allow the user to reach in and access the roll of wipes. This adaptation requires that the aperture first portion 210 be greater that 3 inches in length and greater than ½ inches in height. The channel 214 may generally be a passageway for a user to move a wipe drawn initially through the first portion 210 into the second portion 212. The second portion 212 is generally smaller than the first portion 210 so that the wipe will not fall back into the aperture 208. In one embodiment, a retention tab 216 may define the channel 214, and substantially separate the first portion 210 from the second portion 212. The retention tab 216 may prevent a threaded wipe from retreating back though the aperture 208. Further the retention tab 216 may facilitate separating individual wipes.

The aperture 208 may provide access to the roll of wipes stored within the container 100. Either the first portion 210 or the second portion 212 may be adapted to allow a user to access the wipes. In one embodiment, the first portion 210 may be large enough that an average adult may comfortably and easily access a roll of wipes (not shown) to initially thread a wipe through the first portion 210. The first and second portion 210 and 212 may be of different sizes and shapes. In one embodiment, first portion 210 may be substantially larger than the second portion 212. In one embodiment, the second portion 212 may be sized to prevent a threaded wipe from falling back inside the container 100.

It will be understood that the aperture 208 may be located anywhere on the container 100. For example, the aperture 208 may be located in the base 112, rather than in the lid 130. In that embodiment, the removable lid 130 may be used to refill the container 100, and the dispensing aperture 208 may be located in the base 112. In addition, if the aperture 208 were in the container base 112, the cover 134 may also be connected or attached to the container base 112 and be adapted to secure over the aperture 208.

Referring to FIG. 3, when a user opens the cover 134, the first portion 210 may allow for a user to reach in the container 100 and thread a first wipe 300 through the first portion 210. A roll of wipes 310 consisting of a continuous sheet of woven or nonwoven, fibrous material that is perforated between individual sheets may be stored therein. The roll 300 may be of any width suitable for fitting inside the container 100. The roll of wipes 300 located in the container 100 may be pulled from the outside. In other words, the roll of wipes 300 may unwind from the outside-in. The roll of wipes 300 may unwind in either a clockwise or counterclockwise manner. The roll of wipes 300 may comprise individual sheets that are perforated in a direction transverse to the length of the roll 300 so that individual wipes can be detached. After the first wipe 310 is threaded through the first portion 210, it may then be moved through the channel 214 into the second portion 212. The first wipe 300 may then be fully removed. When the first wipe 300 is removed, the tail of the next wipe (not shown) may then be simultaneously drawn through the second portion 212. The tail of the next wipe then protrudes from the container 100 for later use.

Referring to FIG. 4, the container 100 is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. The container 100 may further comprise, in addition to the already described features, a post 400. The post 400 may be attached to either one of the pair of opposed sidewalls 114. The post 400 may provide support for a roll of wipes. The core of a roll of wipes may be inserted over the post 400. The post 400 may be removable or formed integrally with the sidewalls 114. The post 400 may be of any suitable length to provide adequate support and stability for the roll of wipes 310. Further, the post 400 may be of any suitable length to provide an axis for the roll to rotate. The post 400 may facilitate the ease with which a user can unwind the roll of wipes 310, especially when the wipes count gets low. Further, the post 400 may prevent the roll of wipes 310 from moving laterally, or even coming out of the container 100, when a user applies force to dispense a wipe. In another embodiment, the roll of wipes 310 may be coreless, as is well known in the art, thereby obviating the need for the post 400.

The aperture 208 may be located within the indentation 206. The first portion 210 of the aperture 208 may be substantially larger in size than the second portion 212. The first portion 210 and the second portion 212 may still be in communication with each other via a channel 214 for moving a wipe that has been threaded through the first portion 210 to the second portion 212. In this embodiment, the first portion 210 may be large enough so that a user can access a roll of wipes (not shown), and thread a wipe through the first portion 210. The first portion 210 may extend over a substantial part of the indentation 206. The second portion 212 may comprise a central part with several projections. The second portion 212, however, may be of any shape that allows for wipes to be dispensed.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims. 

1. A dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising: a container base including a bottom face configured to support the dispenser on a surface and with one or more rounded edges and a pair of opposed parallel sidewalls extending upward from the bottom surface; a lid removably attached to the container base, wherein the lid includes a substantially flat top surface, a front adjacent to a cover closure, a back opposite the front, and two sides between the front and the back, and including a side edge extending generally downwardly and perpendicularly from the top surface and surrounding the top surface on the two sides and on part of the front and on part of the back of the top surface; the lid having an aperture with an aperture face and having a hingedly attached cover providing a sealing means over the aperture; wherein the cover when closed forms a flat continuous surface with the lid top surface and wherein the cover extends from the side edge at the lid top surface front to the side edge at the lid top surface back; wherein the lid top surface and the aperture face are substantially perpendicular to the container base bottom face; wherein the cover hingedly opens to a position where the cover is in substantially the same plane as the container base bottom face; the aperture including a retention tab defining a first aperture portion communicating via a channel with a second aperture portion lying below the first aperture portion; wherein the second aperture portion is smaller than the first aperture portion; and a roll of wet wipes positioned to dispense wipes from the outside of the roll as the roll unwinds.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the lid has a longer horizontal length than a vertical height.
 3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the aperture and cover are generally positioned in the middle of the lid relative to the horizontal length.
 4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein at least one of the pair of opposed sidewalls includes a semicircular recess at or near where the lid is removably attached to the container base.
 5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the cover is hingedly attached to the back of the lid.
 6. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises an indentation adapted to receive the cover, the indention located in the body of the lid and wherein the cover secures over at least a portion of the indention.
 7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the aperture first portion is adapted to allow the user to reach in and access the roll of wipes.
 8. (canceled)
 9. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a post supporting the wipes roll.
 10. A dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising: a container base defining an open receptacle, the base comprising a rounded bottom surface with a bottom face and a pair of opposed parallel sidewalls extending upward from the bottom face; a lid removably attached to the container base; wherein the lid includes a substantially flat top surface, a front adjacent to a closure, a back opposite the front, and two sides between the front and the back, and including a side edge extending generally downwardly and perpendicularly from the top surface and surrounding the top surface on the two sides and part of the front and the back of the top surface; the lid having an aperture with an aperture face and having a hingedly attached cover providing a sealing means over the aperture; wherein the cover when closed forms a flat continuous surface with the lid top surface and wherein the cover extends from the side edge at the lid top surface front to the side edge at the lid top surface back; and a roll of wet wipes positioned in the receptacle to dispense wipes through a face of the container from the outside of the roll as the roll unwinds, wherein the face is configured to be supported substantially perpendicular to the bottom face.
 11. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the container base includes a substantially half cylinder shape.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the container base further comprises one or more supporting members.
 14. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein at least one of the pair of opposed sidewalls comprises a semicircular recess at or near where the lid is removable attached to the container base.
 15. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the lid further comprises an indentation adapted to receive the cover, the indention located in the body of the lid and wherein the cover secures over at least a portion of the indention.
 16. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the aperture includes a first portion and second portion communicating via a channel defined by a retention tab, wherein the first portion is adapted to allow a user to reach in and access the roll of wipes.
 17. A dispenser for cleaning wipes, comprising: a container base defining an open receptacle, the base comprising: a rounded bottom surface having a bottom face; and a pair of substantially parallel opposed sidewalls; a lid with a substantially flat face removably attached to the container base, wherein the lid includes a substantially flat top surface, a front adjacent to a closure, a back opposite the front, and two sides between the front and the back; the lid having an aperture with an aperture face and having a hingedly attached cover providing a sealing means over the aperture; wherein the cover when closed forms a flat continuous surface with the lid top surface and wherein the cover extends from the side edge at the lid top surface front to the side edge at the lid top surface back; wherein horizontal length of the lid is longer than vertical height of the lid; a roll of wet wipes contained in the open receptacle to dispense wipes from the outside to the inside of the roll; and wherein the bottom face supports the lid upright with the vertical length of the lid generally perpendicular to the bottom face.
 18. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the aperture has a first portion and second portion that are in communication via a channel, the first portion being adapted to allow a user to access the roll of wipes and wherein the second portion lies below the first portion.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The dispenser of claim 18, wherein the aperture is located horizontally in the middle of the lid. 